Nadine and Lori (plus Nick, Gabriel and Olivia)
Hi!
We’re Nadine and Lori – parents of 3 children we absolutely adore and we are so excited to be adopting again! Considering adoption for your baby takes a tremendous amount of courage and we truly admire the strength you have in taking this journey. We’re a big, fun-filled family overflowing with laughter and love. And we will welcome a child into our hearts – unconditionally and completely. That is our promise to you.
We would love to meet, learn more about your hopes and dreams, and give you a chance to learn more about us. Neither one of us knows what the future holds, but we hope to take this journey with you.
HOW WE BECAME A FAMILY
We always knew we wanted a large family – the kind where there’s always a lot going on! Growing up, there was always someone to play with, learn from and talk to. So, of course, we wanted the same for our own family.
After years of expensive and painful infertility treatments, we prayed for guidance. No matter what obstacles we faced, we were not giving up! We adopted our son, Nick in 2006, then Gabe in 2010 and Olivia in 2011. Each experience adopting our children was special and unique – just like our kids. The trust and faith their respective birthparents placed in us is something we will treasure forever.
LORI ON NADINE
When I found out Nadine was in law school, I thought, “Finally, I’ve met someone outside the theatre department.” Then I found out she wanted to be an actor…a director…a writer…and study law. The great thing was she actually could do it all. She definitely has a flair the dramatic…every day. For our second date, she showed up at my house completely soaked from riding through a rainstorm because I mentioned in passing that I had a taste for canned pears. I opened my door to find her dripping wet – fogged glasses and soaked jeans – with a can of pears in her hand. That’s our relationship – she’s always full of surprises.
Fun Facts:
• Was a lawyer; is now a full-time writer
• Has won awards for storytelling
• Ran track in college; played B-Ball in law school
NADINE ON LORI
The first time I saw Lori I knew I would spend the rest of my life with her. It was her smile that did it –warm and a little shy – just like her. I called all of my friends that night to let them know I’d met “The One.” I even made a note in my journal (which I still have). She is an AMAZING cook and she really loves food – loves to buy it, grow it, cook it, and serve it. So whenever she is in the kitchen, it’s a full production, from stewing the tomatoes, to crushing the garlic, to picking just the right blend of spices from the garden to bring all of the flavors together. She makes magic
Fun Facts:
• Plans meetings for large companies
• Has won awards for theatre design from the Black Theatre Alliance
• Can fix anything mechanical
ABOUT OUR CHILDREN
Our kids are the very best of friends. They love making each other laugh and teaching one another whatever they have just learned. We know that they will always take care of each other.
MEET NICK
Nick is a pretty amazing kid. He is 8 and loves sports of all kinds – though his recent favorite is skateboarding. At night you’ll find him buried in a book…usually under the covers reading by flashlight.
MEET GABE
Gabriel is our storyteller. He is 5 and has a wonderful imagination. He loves spinning tales involving dinosaurs, pirates and spaceships.
MEET OLIVIA
Olivia is our sweetheart. She is 3 and has a special gift for knowing exactly when someone needs a hug and gives the BEST squeezes.
ON BEING PARENTS
Family is at the heart of everything we do – from arranging our work schedules so we can pick the kids up right after school, to planning adventure-filled vacations in the United States and around the world.
Our dream for our children is that they will be good citizens of the world – honest, caring, and strong of heart, spirit and mind. We believe that each child is unique and has his or her own special talents. Our role as parents is to nurture these talents – whatever they might be – so that can discover for themselves who they are and what they love.
Sure, our kids keep us very busy. But we wouldn’t have it any other way!
OUR HOME
When we first walked into our house, we thought, “Wow! What a great place to raise kids!” There were 2 staircases – perfect for hide and seek – large, sunny bedrooms, and a big kitchen – ideal for family get-togethers! Our home is the central spot for all gatherings – birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and backyard BBQ’s. Our friends and family often hang out for hours because they say, “you can feel the love in this house everywhere!”
We live on the north side of Chicago, in a diverse community filled with kids. We are lucky to be able to walk everywhere – to a children’s zoo, church, school, and the store. And we can ride our bikes to the beach, just a few blocks away.
OUR WISH FOR YOU
Thank you for spending time with us and considering our family in your decision. We hope that we have given you an idea of who we, what’s important to us, and how much this child will be loved, not only by us, but by our family and friends. We promise to provide a warm, loving home filled with laughter, stability and many opportunities to grow.
We hope to meet you and take the first steps to developing a relationship – from letters and texts, to phone calls and family visits. Please know that we will respect whatever level of openness feels comfortable for you.
You can email us at [email protected] or contact our adoption counselor, Tobi Ehrenpreis at 800-869-1005 or text her at 847-366-6351. You may also send Tobi an email at: [email protected]
No matter what decision you make, we wish you the very best.
Nadine and Lori
